We purchased our 2003 Excursion (see sig) new in September 2003. We average about 30,000 miles per year as it is sitting with almost 180,000 miles on it right now.

We use "Forest" for a lot of company and personal work--sometimes just traveling empty (getting 19 mpg), sometimes towing the big travel trailer (getting 10 mpg). It is really the only SUV that can do what we want.

We love the truck, but have to admit to some problems. My Ford dealer receipt file is about 1" thick. The biggest persistent problem from new has been the EGR valve. This was solved by simply unplugging the valve. A much more expensive problem happened this winter when the HPOP (high pressure oil pump) cratered on a trip to Indiana. That was expensive (>$3,500) to fix. The IPC has given trouble twice. We have also shattered two (2) water pump pulleys. Right now, the truck is in pretty decent shape and continues to amaze us with its' towing capability. It leaks a bit of oil (I think the mechanic did not seal up HPOP plumbing correctly), but otherwise is a trusty vehicle.

We are seriously considering buying a low mileage 2005 Ex Limited or EB to replace ours. My thinking is that the 2005 6.0 may have a few of these bugs worked out (EGR?, fuel injectors?, etc.). I could apply a few lessons learned through the miles to make the 2005 even more reliable. Low mileage 05s can still be had with remaining engine warranty, giving maybe 6 - 12 months to resolve open engine design issues (turbos, EGR valves, injectors, etc.). The prices for low mileage 2005s can be stunning, though, ranging from $28,000 to $36,000. And, I have to remember that even 2005s have many of the issues (wandering steering, ungreasable ball joints, sagging rear springs) that I took so much time to rectify in our 2003. In other words, I could spend $30K and still need to invest in tires, ball joints, new V,B springs etc. to the tune of $3,000 or so.

Another option is to do some serious "preventive" maintenance work on our 03 with the goal of going at least 2 more years. There is certainly no warranty to worry about (or count on). I have an ARP head stud kit. I could also install later generation injectors and an EGR block off kit. The coolant system hoses should all be replaced. The truck has never had a set of gauges, so I would want to add that. I can also see spending the money (on either the 03 or an 05) to install "V" and "B" springs and maybe RAS and air bags on the rear axle. The 03 handles well, but it is pretty rough riding due to radius rods, air bags, and big sway bar in back. I could easily see dropping another $4,000 - $5,000 into the truck and still have a high mileage machine to care for. Then, the chassis may start to give issues.

I would like to hear opinions on this. Do any of you have experience with 2005 vs. 2003 6.0 and/or Excursions?

Are we better off primping our family friend Forest, or going for a 2005 6.0?

 

I traded my 03 in on an 05 the last summer they were selling them....
Just wanted the latest and greatest....
It is a crap shoot either way....
but I lean toward the devil you know when buying used vehicles. ...
in that you KNOW what you have now but don't know what MAY come about...
whereas buying someone's Ex, you're not sure what maint. etc was done (or not done)


I have had great luck buying used and horrible buying new and vice versa !!!

Good Luck !

Honestly,
I can't think of anything I would have done differently except to pull parts off my 03 for the 05 like the turbo back, etc...

 

I bought my first Ex in December - see sig. It had 25.5K miles on it and I got it for 25K. Pretty good deal in my book. I bought the 100K mile warranty to be sure I am covered. Haven't had a lick of trouble yet.

I can't tell you the best option - but I do know with the right treatment and parts, your current 6.0L has a lot more life in it. Waiting any longer will only make the low mileage 2005's more scarce. If I were you - I would get a low mileage 2005. With your past experience you can easily maintain the 'new' Ex for a long time.

I plan on driving my 6.0L until the piston melt - then dropping in a Cummins! I don't foresee ever getting rid of the Ex - heirloom classic. Good luck with your decision and let us know what you do.

 

"Forest" has taken the family many a mile--Cape Cod (twice), Big Bend in Texas, Banff in Canada, Disneyworld, skiing in Colorado, etc. I've seen everything from -8F to 121F on the overhead display. It is kind of hard to let it go. The HPOP failure in February was kind of an eye opener, though.

If we keep Forest, we have to prepare for expenses to milk another 75K - 100K miles out of him.

I am really on the fence on this one.

 

I'm with JDADAMSJR... better the trouble you know.

$25-30 k is a lot of money to spend to get what you got. Part of owning an older vehicle is realizing that you might need to spend $1200-$2000 a year on maintenance... if you don't, then consider it a good year and that amount can go towards another year. Far cheaper than payments on something newer, imo.

 

Well...it looks like we have purchased a 2005 with < 60,000 miles. Almost the same equipment as we have now, but with 120,000 less miles on it. Will be selling a member of our family when we put "Forest" on the market.

I'll make comments on differences I see in the new one in a separate forum...